Age: 27 [1st diary] Birthday is [November 24, 1910]
Gender: Male
Occupation: Air Force Pilot
Appearance: Has short dark brown hair, and has a firm look on his face always. Does not express emotions well physically, but is a very emotionally sensitive person on the inside. An average height of 5'9, and a bit on the skinny side.
Location: Was born and lived in Virginia, but moved to Missouri to work in the United States Army Air Corps.
Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits: Dillan is the eldest son and child in the family, and he is expected to make enough money to be able to support not only his parents, but also his younger sister. Because of this, Dillan developed skills of a leader and is dependable, trustworthy, and hardworking.
Family:
Mother - Lindsay Johnson
Father - Andrew McGuire
Younger Sister - Ali McGuire
Education: Was home-schooled by mother until he was 13 and began to attend Hampton High School from 14. Did not go to college and went straight to the Air Force instead.
Languages you speak: English
Your main concerns at this time and in life: The family that Dillan came from is not a rich one, and Dillian wants to be a famous military pilot and make a lot of money in order to financially support the family and pay for younger sister's education.
Today was an exciting day because instead of the mundane daily routine of staying in the Air Base the entire day, a couple pilots and I were sent to visit a school to try to find possible pilot candidates. Surprisingly, the school that we were going to visit was my old high school, Hampton High School. I was eager to go there because I hadn't been there since I graduated and became a famous pilot. Once we got to the classroom, we talked to the students about the American Air Force pilot life and looked around for kids who looked like possible Air Force recruits. There were many young men who looked like they could do the job, but there was one student who stood out from the rest of them because of the glowing ambition in his eyes. I found out that his name was Albert Wilson, and I knew that I would see him around in the Air Force in the future for sure.
After we were done talking, it was time for us to return to the Air Base. As we were in the car going back to base, we saw many homeless people on the streets holding up signs that talked about their disemployment. It feels as if the number of unemployed people increases everyday..
"If it's to the point where we're sent by the Corps to look for Air Force recruits... something's about to happen," said the pilot sitting next to me. His name was George McDonald, and wasn't someone who I'd consider a pleasant fellow. He was always pessimistic about things and said that before we knew it, our entire country would be at war with Japan.
"Yeah, I guess so," I sighed.
I asked myself what the cause of this economic depression was, and it was because Japan refused to stop invading China. Because of the conflict between the two Asian countries, the US decided to cut all trade with Japan, which inevitably led to the closing down of many manufacturing factories. Since Japan was the main trading partner for steel and oil, it was only obvious that tons of people would end up jobless.
But the pilot next to me is right. Seeing how we're starting to find more people for the Air Force, it can only mean that the US is probably going to take part in this. I hope that this conflict doesn't end up badly.
- Dillan McGuire
Diary Entry #2: December 29, 1941
A horrifying event had occurred a few weeks back, and it is terrifying to even think of it. On the 7th of December, some Japanese planes came out of nowhere and started to bomb Pearl Harbor. Neither the navy nor the air force were able to react to it quickly enough, and there were many innocent lives that weren't able to be saved. The USA followed this up by declaring war on Japan. Everyone who hated the Japanese hate them even more, and even those who didn't really care also hate them. Though I'm trying to understand why Japan would do this to America and especially to innocent civilians who haven't done any wrong, I cannot think of any good justification for such a horrible event.
When I arrived for work at the Air Base the next morning after the bombing, one of the higher-ups came up to me and told me that he wanted me to go take a plane and survey the actual damage done to the harbor later that afternoon. Not being able to decline, I quietly agreed and went to get ready for the short trip. While I was packing gear, I talked to one of my close, fellow pilots, Charles Donald Albury. Charles is very young, but he is famous all throughout the Air Force because he is very skilled and talented. I asked him why he was there, and he told me, "I got here a little while ago. I was sent to get some more detailed news about the bombing that happened in Pearl Harbor." I looked at my watch and saw that I had some time to spare before I had to take a plane to Hawaii.
Charles and I sat down and discussed the current situation between Japan and USA. We were wondering how things would turn out now that the USA had declared war on Japan. Charles suggested that the worst thing that could happen is an all out war between the two countries, and that he really hoped that something like that would not happen. I agreed with him because something of that scale would lead to a lot more deaths than the ones that resulted from the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
I checked my watch once again, and it was time for me to take off and fly to Pearl Harbor.
I got on the plane, and flew to Pearl Harbor. As I neared the harbor, I saw smoke that was still rising from the buildings even though the bombings themselves occurred the day before. After allowing my photographer to take around twenty pictures while circling around the area to get different angles of the damage done to the harbor, I realized that the bombing was far worse than I had expected. Though I expected destruction, I did not expect so many ships to be sunk, and buildings to be collapsed. With the picture forever burned into my mind, I flew back to the base.
- Dillan McGuire
Diary Entry #3: June 27, 1945
As I write my third entry of this diary, it's interesting to look back at how so many things happened. I am currently laying down in a bed in a hospital that is somewhere in Singapore. Why? It's a pretty long story, and it started around a week ago.
Like always, it was just another work day, but I knew that there was something important when the General came to speak to me directly. He told me that the Corps needed a pilot to fly by Singapore and check it out because it was a colony of Japan. Knowing that going to Singapore would be very dangerous, I told the General that I wasn't sure if I was able to risk my life on that dangerous trip, but he told me that I was chosen to go because of my outstanding skill, and there was no one who could replace me on the mission. Unable to decline his request, I reluctantly went to get ready.
Time began to fly starting from then, because before I knew it, I already started to see Singapore. As I looked out at the sky in front of me, I had a bad feeling that something was about to happen. Before I could figure out why I felt like something was wrong, something crashed into the side of the plane, and I saw that the Japanese soldiers were trying to shoot me down. In a state of panic, I tried to find something like water, which would at least reduce the impact of the crash. At the last moment, I saw a flat piece of grassy land, and I decided that that would have to do. The last thing I remember before losing consciousness is the hard vibrating from the impact that shook my entire body.
The next time I woke up, I was lying down in a hospital, and I saw a man looking over me as I opened my eyes.
"Who are you?" I asked him.
"Don't talk, your body is in a critical state," the man said, in a clearly British accent.
I fell asleep once more, and started attacking him with questions, "Who are you? How'd you find me? What happened? Where are we?"
The man told me that his name was William "Dave" Cameron II and he was a British soldier who was stationed at Singapore. He saw the airplane being shot at and quickly rushed towards the plane seeing the American flag on it. Seeing a bloody body of an unconscious man, he quickly rushed me to a local hospital.
I asked William if the US Corps knew about the event, and he told me that he had contacted them through the British Army as soon as I was treated. William also added that another pilot would come in a few days to come pick me up. I thanked the man, and fell asleep once again.
- Dillan McGuire
Diary Entry #4: September 17, 1946
After the war has been over, it seems that I haven't written in this diary. For those who may read this in the future who are wondering how I made it out of Singapore, the story is short, and sweet. An american pilot by the name of Charles W. Sweeney came and picked me up. This was of course, a surprise, because he was the American hero who had dropped the nuclear bombs and ended the war. On the way back home, I was discussing with him the topic of how it felt to be a hero, but he told me that he only felt guilty and sorry for the many innocent lives that he had taken by dropping that single bomb. I didn't really understand what he meant by that, and I don't think I will be able to.
Today, as I am writing, it has been a little more than a year since the war has ended, and I can confidently say that things are going to get better soon now that the war is over. Also, though I am glad that the war is over, I am sad that the innocent people who were killed at Pearl Harbor cannot be with us today. Unlike Sweeney who decided to retire from the army after bombing Japan, I wish to continue working for the Air Force which will help me support the country that I love. Like I mention in all my diaries, a lot has happened and is happening in a short period of time. The conflicts that took place between the US, Japan, and all the other countries were gruesome, and this, for sure, is something that I will never forget. Even though I was glad to be able to support my country, the memories from this war are not pleasant, and I really hope that a war of this scale is something that will never happen again.
I was promoted to a higher position after these events, and I think that this increase in wage will allow me to better support my family. I really love my family, and am really glad that our family did not lose anyone from these events.
- Dillan McGuire
Diary Entry #1 and #2 (Japan's Invasion of China and the Start of War with the USA, 1937-41): Your first two diary entries will be from a day in the life of your character from the year 1937 right to December 8, 1941. Each of those two entries must reflect the tensions in East Asia (or at least in the world of your character's) during that time. Discuss how at least two events would be affecting your daily life (or at least your thoughts and feelings). For each character, the causes may certainly be different. Begin by reading and completing the reading above, Japan's Decision for War and Japan's Quest for Power. Get an idea of what was happening in the world, albeit a very brief and an Amerocentric view at that at Information Please: 1937.
Note: Each diary entry is to be a minimum of 400 words (short!!)
At lest one of your two entries should demonstrate how the invasion of China by Japan had an impact on you personally, your nation or at least your thoughts. One other element that must be present in your diary: your contact (or at least potential contact with another character). The contact with this person may be from just a distance, i.e. soldiers in combat. The point here, though, is that you communicate with the person whose character seems to offer the greatest likelihood of your at least crossing paths. Major leaders might not be able to add this element to their diaries given the lack of this occurrence being plausible. To do this use the discussion tab on a character from your list (Group 1 or 2). Communicate and collaborate with another character. From here establish how your lives might become intertwined.
Be sure to watch a documentary from the History Channel, //Century of Warfare: Oriental Blitzkrieg// (approximately the first 25 minutes). This and the short section below (from the World at War Series) should help stimulate your creative ideas for writing in your diaries.
Diary Entry #3 and #4
Japan has enjoyed 100 days of victories over several colonial powers in East Asia, the French in Indochina, the British in Hong Kong, Malaya and Singapore (soon Burma), the Dutch in the Dutch East Indies, and the Americans in the Philippine Islands. Write about your feelings in regards to any one of the aforementioned victories, what it means for you, or your nation (or all three).
The Americans have fought hard battles through out the South Pacific. Their island hopping attack has brought their bombers within range of all Japanese cities. The Japan's Imperial Army is being beaten in the Philippines. All of its South-east Asian areas of occupation are being harassed by bombing and guerrilla fighting. Their shipping supply lines are nearly cut off completely. Okinawa is finally taken. The bomb is used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The USSR enters the war against the Japanese. The Pacific War ends.
Each entry should be at least 350 words. Again, be able to connect with at least one other person in one of your entries.
These are your last two entries
Name: Dillan McGuire
Age: 27 [1st diary] Birthday is [November 24, 1910]
Gender: Male
Occupation: Air Force Pilot
Appearance: Has short dark brown hair, and has a firm look on his face always. Does not express emotions well physically, but is a very emotionally sensitive person on the inside. An average height of 5'9, and a bit on the skinny side.
Location: Was born and lived in Virginia, but moved to Missouri to work in the United States Army Air Corps.
Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits: Dillan is the eldest son and child in the family, and he is expected to make enough money to be able to support not only his parents, but also his younger sister. Because of this, Dillan developed skills of a leader and is dependable, trustworthy, and hardworking.
Family:
Mother - Lindsay Johnson
Father - Andrew McGuire
Younger Sister - Ali McGuire
Education: Was home-schooled by mother until he was 13 and began to attend Hampton High School from 14. Did not go to college and went straight to the Air Force instead.
Languages you speak: English
Your main concerns at this time and in life: The family that Dillan came from is not a rich one, and Dillian wants to be a famous military pilot and make a lot of money in order to financially support the family and pay for younger sister's education.
Diary #1 - Jungwook
Diary #2 - Gene
Diary #3 - Jacob Lee
Diary #4 - Peter Suh
Diary Entry #1: January 16th, 1940
Today was an exciting day because instead of the mundane daily routine of staying in the Air Base the entire day, a couple pilots and I were sent to visit a school to try to find possible pilot candidates. Surprisingly, the school that we were going to visit was my old high school, Hampton High School. I was eager to go there because I hadn't been there since I graduated and became a famous pilot. Once we got to the classroom, we talked to the students about the American Air Force pilot life and looked around for kids who looked like possible Air Force recruits. There were many young men who looked like they could do the job, but there was one student who stood out from the rest of them because of the glowing ambition in his eyes. I found out that his name was Albert Wilson, and I knew that I would see him around in the Air Force in the future for sure.
After we were done talking, it was time for us to return to the Air Base. As we were in the car going back to base, we saw many homeless people on the streets holding up signs that talked about their disemployment. It feels as if the number of unemployed people increases everyday..
"If it's to the point where we're sent by the Corps to look for Air Force recruits... something's about to happen," said the pilot sitting next to me. His name was George McDonald, and wasn't someone who I'd consider a pleasant fellow. He was always pessimistic about things and said that before we knew it, our entire country would be at war with Japan.
"Yeah, I guess so," I sighed.
I asked myself what the cause of this economic depression was, and it was because Japan refused to stop invading China. Because of the conflict between the two Asian countries, the US decided to cut all trade with Japan, which inevitably led to the closing down of many manufacturing factories. Since Japan was the main trading partner for steel and oil, it was only obvious that tons of people would end up jobless.
But the pilot next to me is right. Seeing how we're starting to find more people for the Air Force, it can only mean that the US is probably going to take part in this. I hope that this conflict doesn't end up badly.
- Dillan McGuire
Diary Entry #2: December 29, 1941
A horrifying event had occurred a few weeks back, and it is terrifying to even think of it. On the 7th of December, some Japanese planes came out of nowhere and started to bomb Pearl Harbor. Neither the navy nor the air force were able to react to it quickly enough, and there were many innocent lives that weren't able to be saved. The USA followed this up by declaring war on Japan. Everyone who hated the Japanese hate them even more, and even those who didn't really care also hate them. Though I'm trying to understand why Japan would do this to America and especially to innocent civilians who haven't done any wrong, I cannot think of any good justification for such a horrible event.
When I arrived for work at the Air Base the next morning after the bombing, one of the higher-ups came up to me and told me that he wanted me to go take a plane and survey the actual damage done to the harbor later that afternoon. Not being able to decline, I quietly agreed and went to get ready for the short trip. While I was packing gear, I talked to one of my close, fellow pilots, Charles Donald Albury. Charles is very young, but he is famous all throughout the Air Force because he is very skilled and talented. I asked him why he was there, and he told me, "I got here a little while ago. I was sent to get some more detailed news about the bombing that happened in Pearl Harbor." I looked at my watch and saw that I had some time to spare before I had to take a plane to Hawaii.
Charles and I sat down and discussed the current situation between Japan and USA. We were wondering how things would turn out now that the USA had declared war on Japan. Charles suggested that the worst thing that could happen is an all out war between the two countries, and that he really hoped that something like that would not happen. I agreed with him because something of that scale would lead to a lot more deaths than the ones that resulted from the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
I checked my watch once again, and it was time for me to take off and fly to Pearl Harbor.
I got on the plane, and flew to Pearl Harbor. As I neared the harbor, I saw smoke that was still rising from the buildings even though the bombings themselves occurred the day before. After allowing my photographer to take around twenty pictures while circling around the area to get different angles of the damage done to the harbor, I realized that the bombing was far worse than I had expected. Though I expected destruction, I did not expect so many ships to be sunk, and buildings to be collapsed. With the picture forever burned into my mind, I flew back to the base.
- Dillan McGuire
Diary Entry #3: June 27, 1945
As I write my third entry of this diary, it's interesting to look back at how so many things happened. I am currently laying down in a bed in a hospital that is somewhere in Singapore. Why? It's a pretty long story, and it started around a week ago.
Like always, it was just another work day, but I knew that there was something important when the General came to speak to me directly. He told me that the Corps needed a pilot to fly by Singapore and check it out because it was a colony of Japan. Knowing that going to Singapore would be very dangerous, I told the General that I wasn't sure if I was able to risk my life on that dangerous trip, but he told me that I was chosen to go because of my outstanding skill, and there was no one who could replace me on the mission. Unable to decline his request, I reluctantly went to get ready.
Time began to fly starting from then, because before I knew it, I already started to see Singapore. As I looked out at the sky in front of me, I had a bad feeling that something was about to happen. Before I could figure out why I felt like something was wrong, something crashed into the side of the plane, and I saw that the Japanese soldiers were trying to shoot me down. In a state of panic, I tried to find something like water, which would at least reduce the impact of the crash. At the last moment, I saw a flat piece of grassy land, and I decided that that would have to do. The last thing I remember before losing consciousness is the hard vibrating from the impact that shook my entire body.
The next time I woke up, I was lying down in a hospital, and I saw a man looking over me as I opened my eyes.
"Who are you?" I asked him.
"Don't talk, your body is in a critical state," the man said, in a clearly British accent.
I fell asleep once more, and started attacking him with questions, "Who are you? How'd you find me? What happened? Where are we?"
The man told me that his name was William "Dave" Cameron II and he was a British soldier who was stationed at Singapore. He saw the airplane being shot at and quickly rushed towards the plane seeing the American flag on it. Seeing a bloody body of an unconscious man, he quickly rushed me to a local hospital.
I asked William if the US Corps knew about the event, and he told me that he had contacted them through the British Army as soon as I was treated. William also added that another pilot would come in a few days to come pick me up. I thanked the man, and fell asleep once again.
- Dillan McGuire
Diary Entry #4: September 17, 1946
After the war has been over, it seems that I haven't written in this diary. For those who may read this in the future who are wondering how I made it out of Singapore, the story is short, and sweet. An american pilot by the name of Charles W. Sweeney came and picked me up. This was of course, a surprise, because he was the American hero who had dropped the nuclear bombs and ended the war. On the way back home, I was discussing with him the topic of how it felt to be a hero, but he told me that he only felt guilty and sorry for the many innocent lives that he had taken by dropping that single bomb. I didn't really understand what he meant by that, and I don't think I will be able to.
Today, as I am writing, it has been a little more than a year since the war has ended, and I can confidently say that things are going to get better soon now that the war is over. Also, though I am glad that the war is over, I am sad that the innocent people who were killed at Pearl Harbor cannot be with us today. Unlike Sweeney who decided to retire from the army after bombing Japan, I wish to continue working for the Air Force which will help me support the country that I love. Like I mention in all my diaries, a lot has happened and is happening in a short period of time. The conflicts that took place between the US, Japan, and all the other countries were gruesome, and this, for sure, is something that I will never forget. Even though I was glad to be able to support my country, the memories from this war are not pleasant, and I really hope that a war of this scale is something that will never happen again.
I was promoted to a higher position after these events, and I think that this increase in wage will allow me to better support my family. I really love my family, and am really glad that our family did not lose anyone from these events.
- Dillan McGuire
Diary Entry #1 and #2 (Japan's Invasion of China and the Start of War with the USA, 1937-41): Your first two diary entries will be from a day in the life of your character from the year 1937 right to December 8, 1941. Each of those two entries must reflect the tensions in East Asia (or at least in the world of your character's) during that time. Discuss how at least two events would be affecting your daily life (or at least your thoughts and feelings). For each character, the causes may certainly be different. Begin by reading and completing the reading above, Japan's Decision for War and Japan's Quest for Power. Get an idea of what was happening in the world, albeit a very brief and an Amerocentric view at that at Information Please: 1937.
Note: Each diary entry is to be a minimum of 400 words (short!!)
At lest one of your two entries should demonstrate how the invasion of China by Japan had an impact on you personally, your nation or at least your thoughts. One other element that must be present in your diary: your contact (or at least potential contact with another character). The contact with this person may be from just a distance, i.e. soldiers in combat. The point here, though, is that you communicate with the person whose character seems to offer the greatest likelihood of your at least crossing paths. Major leaders might not be able to add this element to their diaries given the lack of this occurrence being plausible. To do this use the discussion tab on a character from your list (Group 1 or 2). Communicate and collaborate with another character. From here establish how your lives might become intertwined.
Be sure to watch a documentary from the History Channel, //Century of Warfare: Oriental Blitzkrieg// (approximately the first 25 minutes). This and the short section below (from the World at War Series) should help stimulate your creative ideas for writing in your diaries.
Diary Entry #3 and #4
Japan has enjoyed 100 days of victories over several colonial powers in East Asia, the French in Indochina, the British in Hong Kong, Malaya and Singapore (soon Burma), the Dutch in the Dutch East Indies, and the Americans in the Philippine Islands. Write about your feelings in regards to any one of the aforementioned victories, what it means for you, or your nation (or all three).
The Americans have fought hard battles through out the South Pacific. Their island hopping attack has brought their bombers within range of all Japanese cities. The Japan's Imperial Army is being beaten in the Philippines. All of its South-east Asian areas of occupation are being harassed by bombing and guerrilla fighting. Their shipping supply lines are nearly cut off completely. Okinawa is finally taken. The bomb is used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The USSR enters the war against the Japanese. The Pacific War ends.
Each entry should be at least 350 words. Again, be able to connect with at least one other person in one of your entries.
These are your last two entries